Friday, August 01, 2003 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Trekkies gather at Las Vegas Hilton for convention

"Star Trek" fans from around the world will convene at Creation Entertainment's official "Star Trek" convention today through Sunday in Las Vegas.

Featuring more than 100 celebrities from the television show and movies, the event takes place at the Las Vegas Hilton, home of The Star Trek Experience. Show hours are noon-6 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-6 p.m Saturday and Sunday.

Leonard Nimoy (Spock) will make a rare convention appearance today. Other celebrity guests include James Doohan (Scotty), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Troi), Tim Russ (Tuvok), Robert Duncan McNeill (Paris) and Robert Picardo ("Voyager's" Doctor).

Celebrity speakers on Saturday include Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway), Roxanne Dawson (Torres), Robert Beltran (Chakotay), Dominic Keating (Lt. Reed), Connor Trinner (Trip) and many others.

On Sunday, stars will include William Shatner (Captain Kirk), John Billingsley, George Takei (Sulu) and others.

The convention will include behind the scenes presentations, previews of upcoming "Enterprise" episodes, costume and trivia contests, no-minimum bid auctions of unique collectibles and one-of-a-kind items, special salute videos and previews of upcoming sci-fi television shows and motion pictures.

In the autograph room, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with and obtain autographs from over 40 notable "Star Trek" and sci-fi media guest stars.

General admission at the door is $36. Admission tickets for children 12 and under are $20. Children 6 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

including Grace Lee Whitney (Janice Rand from classic Star Trek), Wil Wheaton (Wesley on The Next Generation), Celeste Yarnall (Yeoman Martha Landon from classic Star Trek), Kurt and Cody Wetherhill (The Borg Twins of Voyager), Manu Interaymi (Icheb from Voyager and more recently "24"), Barbara Luna (Lt. Marlena Moreau from classic Star Trek), Erin Gray (star of Buck Rogers), Paul Goddard (Star of Farscape), Richard Biggs (Dr. Franklin from Babylon 5), Xenia Seeberg (from Lexx), Lorenzo Lamas (star of Renegade and countless TV and film appearances), and many more.

The exhibit hall will feature major companies and distributors selling and displaying Star Trek and sci-fi collectibles from across the galaxy.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their Star Trek collectibles for free appraisals. Noted Star Trek expert Richard Arnold will offer complimentary appraisals throughout the weekend.